7 Critical UV Digital Inkjet Printer Mistakes (And Fix How to maintain UV inkjet printer)
If you own a UV digital inkjet printer—whether for acrylic signage, metal decor, or packaging, you may want to know how to maintain UV inkjet printer well. Because small missteps in usage and maintenance can lead to costly repairs, poor print quality, and shortened printer lifespan. At FocusInc. , we’ve helped hundreds of customers fix these common issues. Below are the most frequent mistakes to watch for, plus quick solutions to keep your printer running smoothly.
1. Using "One-Size-Fits-All" Settings for Every Material
Mistake: Printing on acrylic, wood, and metal with the same speed, ink volume, or UV curing time. Different substrates absorb ink differently—this leads to smudges, peeling, or faded prints.
Fix: Adjust settings to match your material.
For example: For wood material, use thicker and larger white ink dot size setting to print thick white uv ink layers if you need. Meanwhile, some wood printing doesn't need very accurate printing quality, you can apply to a very fast printing setting, like bi-directional printing in fast speed and lower feathering level but in very light UV lamps setting. For some small letters or character design printing on materials like acrylic or glass species, it will need to set a very high resolution and smooth printing effect. Which mean the UV printing time takes longer. Like to choose a high resolution ICC color profile and middle speed to print. For some thin materials, printing need to adjust UV lamps lower , not too bright, because the UV lamps generate heat which may influence some temperature heat-sensitive films or paper foam materials.
More examples you can contact FOCUSINC team for the information. Describe detailed questions about your uv printing business and usage questions, we will reply emails.
2. Skipping Pre-Print Material Prep
Mistake: Loading dirty, greasy, or unprimed substrates directly into the printer. Dust or oil on surfaces stops ink from adhering, also some silicon and PP materials.
Fix: Wipe substrates with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol to remove debris. For smooth materials, apply a UV-compatible primer coating first—this ensures crisp, long-lasting prints. And remember, each special material has its specific coating for the best adhesion improvement. Another solution is to equip dust removal gun and static eliminator as your printing material or environment required.
3. Running the Printer at Max Speed 24/7
Mistake: Cranking up speed to finish orders faster. High speed reduces ink adhesion and increases nozzle clog risks—especially with thick, vibrant designs. And it also impact the printing nozzles and boards' life-time.
Fix: Balance speed and quality. Use max speed only for simple, low-detail prints. For high-resolution work (e.g., custom logos), slow down to 70-80% of maximum speed. Your prints will look better, and your nozzles will last longer.
4. Neglecting Daily Nozzle Checks & Cleaning
Mistake: Waiting for visible streaks or gaps before cleaning nozzles. Dried ink builds up quickly in UV printers, leading to permanent nozzle damage or clog.
Fix: Do a nozzle check every morning before printing. If you see gaps, run a quick cleaning cycle (most FocusInc. UV printers have a one-touch cleaning feature and timing cleaning function). For tough clogs, use printer-specific cleaning solution—never water or generic solvents.
5. Using Generic UV Ink Instead of Printer-Specific Ink
Mistake: Saving money on cheap, off-brand ink. Generic ink has inconsistent viscosity and pigment levels, which clog ink channels and ruin printheads.
Fix: Always use FocusInc-approved UV ink. Our ink is formulated to work with our printers’ printheads and curing systems—this reduces clogs, improves color vibrancy, and extends printhead lifespan by up to 50%.
6. Forgetting to Maintain UV Lamps
Mistake: Letting UV lamps run until they burn out. Old lamps don’t cure ink properly, leading to sticky prints that peel off.
Fix: Replace UV lamps every 1,5000-2,0000 hours (check your printer’s display for usage tracking). Even if the lamp still lights up, reduced intensity will hurt print quality. And clean surface of uv lamps at least twice a month. FocusInc. offers replacement lamps that fit all our UV printer models.
7. Storing the Printer in Unregulated Environments
Mistake: Leaving the printer in damp basements, hot garages, or dusty workshops. Extreme temperatures and humidity damage internal electronics, while dust clogs vents.
Fix: Store your printer in a room with 40-60% humidity and 72-95°F (22-35°C) temperature. Cover it with a dust cover when not in use, and clean vents monthly with a soft brush.
Keep Your UV Printer Running Like New with FocusInc.
Avoiding these mistakes will save you time, money, and frustration. If you need help troubleshooting, ordering replacement parts (like ink or UV lamps), or learning more about how to maintain UV inkjet printer, contact our support team. We’re here to help you get the most out of your FocusInc. UV digital inkjet printer.
